It wasn’t long before the main gate of the Rosa Estate opened.

Passersby glanced over, drawn by the opening of the gate due to the procession of the family head and his entourage.

The black carriage pulled by two black horses was already overwhelming on its own, and the red seal stamped on the door was the rose, the symbol of Count Rosa.

As the coachman lightly flicked the reins, the two handsome black horses began to gallop cheerfully. “Wow!” The brown-haired girl sitting next to the coachman exclaimed in admiration.

People who had watched until the carriage turned the corner and disappeared went back to their respective paths. None of those who marveled, saying they had seen a spectacular sight, would have known.

Beyond the spotlessly cleaned window. That inside was the Black Knight Nerea Esteban, who was looking at the people and the capital’s main street with curious eyes.

Only after the carriage slowly left the main gate and the loud shouts of well wishes faded away did Nerea awkwardly look inside the carriage.

She had been surprised just by the enormous and imposing exterior of the black carriage, but the interior was so spacious and luxurious that it didn’t feel like a carriage at all, and it was filled with lovely fragrances.

“I’m sorry for escorting you in this kind of carriage. We have to keep a low profile.”

Now she understood Alejandro’s gloomy words when they were heading to the capital. Riding in a carriage like this, of course a rental carriage wouldn’t be satisfactory.

“You’ve really grown up.”

The amazement in her aqua eyes made him laugh inadvertently. As if he himself had become quite an impressive person, Alejandro deliberately lifted his chin.

“It’ll be a big deal. You’ll be even more surprised when you see the guild today.”

“Really?”

The words he was about to boast once more got stuck in his throat. As the sunlight that penetrated through a gap in the curtain momentarily shone on the knight and left, it was as if Alejandro had inhaled acrid smoke.

Under the brilliant sunlight, the face with hair thoroughly hidden under a white hat looked exceptionally…

“Alejandro?”

At the languid voice calling him, Alejandro swallowed the thought that had suddenly popped into his mind. And as if nothing had happened, he smiled splendidly.

“…Really. I’m telling you it’ll be spectacular.”

How bland.

Nerea laughed and shook her head. Even without him saying it like that, she was already looking forward to it.

Nerea, who had been pressing down on the sofa-like plush seat, unconsciously glanced outside the window.

Large and elegant buildings, perfectly organized streets. The outlines were blurry as she was looking through a light-colored curtain, but one thing was clear – this capital was much more beautiful than she remembered.

“I’ll open the curtain. Should I lower the window a little too?”

Oops. She had been momentarily distracted by the sight of the capital she was seeing for the first time in a long while. Nerea shook her head with an embarrassed smile.

It was fortunate that Heather had insisted on sitting in the coachman’s seat out of concern for motion sickness. It would have been an embarrassing sight to show to the much younger Heather.

“No. I’m done looking.”

Done looking. I was done looking too. Alejandro narrowed his eyes.

The eyes that had sparkled with excitement, the cheeks that had flushed peach-colored, the small exclamations that had flowed out between parting red lips.

Alejandro, who had closely taken in all those moments with his eyes, opened the curtain. Nerea’s hand grabbed the curtain as if startled, but Alejandro said leisurely,

“You put your hair up for this anyway. No one will know you’re a knight to that extent.”

“Still.”

Nerea lowered the brim of her hat, hesitating. At the action that seemed to cover her eyes, Alejandro hid his surging emotions and said,

“Even if someone sees, it’s fine. The Rosa emblem can handle that much.”

It was a show of bravado, but to Nerea, it sounded as affectionate as if he were saying, I’ve grown up that much. It may have felt more so because she had heard the story about medicinal herbs earlier.

If Alejandro knew, he would puff up, saying he was being treated like a child, but right now, he was satisfied just by the sight of the knight happily looking outside.

Just by drawing the curtain and lowering the window a little, Nerea’s eyes softened considerably.

The large and elegant buildings on both sides of the open main street, the clattering hoofbeats of galloping horses reached her more vividly.

At that moment, a sweet scent wafted over. Nerea, who had been looking around at the much stronger floral scent than wildflowers, suddenly noticed the flower decorations attached to the street trees.

The embroidered letters on the ribbons next to them caught her eye.

– Tenth Anniversary of the Hundred Years’ War Victory.

At the same time, water spouted from the fountain over there. Water droplets sparkled and splashed up towards the sunny sky. A memory from the past flashed like lightning.

“…Palustin Street.”

As if hearing the small murmured voice, Alejandro replied,

“You recognized it right away.”

“We passed through here during the victory ceremony, didn’t we?”

The road of glory leading to the imperial palace.

Countless people had stood on the main street, waving their hands at the falling flowers and the cheers that resounded like thunder.

The joy and excitement of that day, her confidence that she would take the position of family head without any issues. The moment that belief of hers was shattered.

Nerea smiled without realizing it. Every time she saw the expressions of excited people, she realized the reality she faced.

The masquerade ball she had to attend despite not knowing any etiquette or norms, and the tournament where she had to seize victory unconditionally.

Nerea gently rotated her wrist and swallowed a sigh of despair. Then she looked out the window again.

“…What are you so worried about? I’m taking care of preparing the dress.”

“Dress?”

Nerea tilted her head at the somewhat abrupt appearance of the word. A dress. It was a word far removed from her.

Black eyes filled with laughter sparkled provocatively.

“You’re not going to the masquerade ball in such a plain outfit, are you?”

Only then did Nerea look down at her own attire. The green dress with a noticeably fine texture was a comfortable design with all the inconvenient lace and frills removed.

But as Alejandro said, it probably wouldn’t be suitable for a ball.

Another layer of worry was added on top of Nerea’s existing worries. When it came to dresses, she had only seen the ones Brianna made.

“Oh my. Nerea. Surely the successor of the Shield Esteban, who must wield a sword, isn’t just coveting my dresses? Come to think of it, you peek into my drawing room every day too. If someone saw, they’d think you, who have everything, are stealing from me who has nothing.”

The colorful silk dresses, frills, lace. And even the clicking shoes that she had envied a lot when she was fourteen or fifteen.

Nerea smiled faintly as if recalling a bygone memory, then shook her head.

“The order of the masquerade ball and the knights’ tournament won’t change, right?”

“Yes. For the past ten years, the order of the festival has always been the masquerade ball first.”

“A miracle would have to happen.”

“It was you, Knight, who ordered me to save the miracle.”

At the neat answer, she felt strangely annoyed for no reason. Nerea wrinkled her nose bridge and shrugged.

“The more I save, the bigger it will come.”

Even in the midst of that, the carriage diligently ran through the people walking on the lively and colorful streets.

The place they finally arrived at exuded a refined atmosphere starting from the tall and long wall. Confirming the iron bars visible in the distance, Alejandro spoke,

“The entire guild is closed today. No one will come to the 4th floor where my space is, so feel free to take off your hat.”

Laughter welled up in Nerea’s eyes. It was at that very moment. Ah, a strange click sounded from Nerea’s mouth.

“Why are you doing that?”

Alejandro asked, but Nerea looked at the scenery they had passed. Amidst those neat landscapes, there was one person who didn’t fit in, who seemed out of place.

Although she couldn’t see the face or appearance properly…

“…Seems similar.”

The fleetingly passing face and the blond hair were very similar.

While Nerea blinked with a strange feeling, the carriage slowly reduced its speed. As if confirmation from the main gate came through, the grand iron gate soon opened.

.

.

.

Wow. Nerea clicked her tongue.

From the ceiling that required craning her neck to see, to the splendid chandeliers scattering light all around, the carpet covering the wide floor, the paintings hung on the walls, the side tables and porcelain placed like decorations, everything.

“How is it? Isn’t it astonishing?”

Alejandro, who was next to her, spoke mischievously, and it was beautiful and splendid enough to understand. Heather, who was also admiring it, looked at Nerea as if she too couldn’t find the right words.

After much deliberation, Nerea eventually recalled the most splendid scene she had seen.

“It’s more magnificent than Camelot Palace.”

Alejandro languidly narrowed his eyes. With an expression that showed he was pleased with the praise, Nerea finally felt at ease and looked around the guild.

“Take your time looking around. Except for the guards outside, there’s really no one here today.”

Except for Johnny.

Alejandro swallowed his following words and looked around sharply with keen eyes.

“I’ll go and get everything ready.”

According to the plan, it was Johnny’s role to open this empty guild. Surely he wouldn’t lack the energy to even come out and greet them because he was tired from moving heavy armor.

There was no room for disruption either. As it was the guild’s first day off and he had generously paid holiday allowances, most of the employees had already flowed out of the capital like the ebb tide.

But soon Alejandro shrugged.

“Wow. The corridor is really wide too.”

The small exclamation that burst out distracted him, and it was clearly unlike him not to look for Johnny.

The fourth floor they reached through the guildmaster’s private passageway was simpler and warmer. Alejandro, crossing the reddish-brown wood, cream-colored silk wallpaper, and bright marble floor, pointed to one side.

It was a luxurious black door with relief and intaglio combined. As he grabbed the handle and opened the door, he said,

“Come this way…”

But Alejandro, who had directed his gaze into the room, stopped speaking. His eyebrows shot up fiercely and his expression turned chilly in an instant. Through the crack in the door, the presence of someone else was felt.